2026 nominee - Champion of Veteran Employment
Bullroarers Australia is an Indigenous Australian and veteran-owned small business committed to championing the value of veterans and their partners across Australian workplaces, communities and industry. Founded in 2020, Bullroarers promotes a simple principle: military service does not end when a uniform is returned; the capability developed through service remains an enduring national asset.
This commitment is embedded in their leadership, workforce, partnerships and program design rather than operating as a standalone employment policy.
Veterans are embedded throughout Bullroarers’ leadership, workforce, projects and partnerships. The organisation actively demonstrates how Defence-developed leadership, judgement, adaptability, teamwork and operational experience can be translated into civilian careers and applied across community, cultural, regional and specialist environments.
Through its veteran employment initiative, Indigivets, Bullroarers creates pathways for veterans to contribute as employees, advisers, mentors, facilitators and project leaders. The initiative recognises not only formal Defence qualifications, but leadership, judgement, adaptability, teamwork, resilience and operational experience that can be difficult to represent through conventional civilian recruitment processes.
This commitment has led to the development of Remote Indigenous & Veteran Embedded Resource Services (RIVERS), connecting veteran capability with regional and remote workforce needs. RIVERS creates opportunities for veterans to apply their experience across land management, environmental stewardship, cultural heritage, community development and other regional activities while working alongside First Nations communities, government, industry and local organisations.
Bullroarers also champions veterans through its broader projects and partnerships, creating opportunities for veterans to mentor younger people, contribute specialist expertise, participate in community initiatives and transfer knowledge developed through service into new settings. Their approach demonstrates to clients and partners what veterans can contribute when their capability is recognised rather than constrained by conventional job descriptions.
As a small business, Bullroarers measures its impact not simply by the number of veterans it employs, but by the opportunities, partnerships and pathways it creates for others. The impact extends beyond individuals directly engaged by Bullroarers. Each partnership, project and initiative provides an opportunity to advocate for veteran capability and demonstrate its value to other employers and communities.
Bullroarers ambition is clear: to ensure veterans remain recognised, valued and able to continue contributing their experience, leadership and commitment in service to Australia.
The objective is ultimately cultural as well as economic: to shift veteran employment from a conversation about transition and assistance towards one about capability, contribution and opportunity. They champion veterans by creating places where their experience remains relevant, their leadership continues to develop and their service to Australia can continue in new forms.